Abhishek Gunge: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Abhishek Gunge is a young and talented kabaddi player from Maharashtra who has made his mark in the sport through hard work and dedication. Born on July 10, 2003, in Wadgaon, Kolhapur, this 22-year-old right raider has become a well-known name in Indian kabaddi circles. Furthermore, his journey from a small town to the Pro Kabaddi League shows the potential of grassroots talent in India.
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Abhishek Tukaram Gunge |
| Date of Birth | July 10, 2003 |
| Age | 22 years (as of 2025) |
| Hometown | Wadgaon, Kolhapur |
| Position | Right Raider |
| Father | Tukaram (Agricultural work) |
| Mother | Chaya (Household work) |
| Brother | Harshit (Younger Brother – also plays kabaddi) |
| Started Kabaddi At | Age 16 |
| Coach | Vijay Desai |
| Club/Academy | Jayant Sports Islampur |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts (3rd year) |
| Inspiration | Arjun Deshwal |
| PKL Team | Puneri Paltan |
Early Life & Family
Abhishek Tukaram Gunge was born into a caring family in the beautiful town of Wadgaon, located in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. His father, Tukaram, manages agricultural work, while his mother, Chaya, takes care of the household tasks. Moreover, Abhishek comes from a supportive family that has helped his sporting dreams grow.
The young kabaddi player also has a younger brother named Harshit, who has also joined him on the kabaddi field, showing that the sport runs in the family. Even though they come from a farming background, his family has been very supportive of his kabaddi career. Additionally, the family values have played an important role in shaping Abhishek’s character and work ethic.
Interestingly, Abhishek Gunge found his love for kabaddi at the age of 16, which is quite late compared to many professional players. However, his good memories of playing the sport during his school days made him want to pursue it seriously. Furthermore, his late start has not stopped him from getting success at various levels of competition.
Domestic Career
Abhishek Gunge’s domestic kabaddi career has been marked by steady growth and good results. He trains under the guidance of coach Vijay Desai at Jayant Sports Islampur, where he has built his skills as a right raider. Moreover, his specialty lies in the art of Hand Touch, making him an expert in this technique on the kabaddi mat.
The young player gets inspiration from kabaddi star Arjun Deshwal, especially liking his skill in the bonus technique. Abhishek has also been balancing his sporting career with studies. Currently, he is in his third year of pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree. This balance between education and sports shows his well-rounded approach to life and career planning. Even with his academic work, he continues to focus on his kabaddi training.
PKL Journey
Abhishek Gunge’s Pro Kabaddi League journey represents a big step in his career. He was selected by Puneri Paltan for PKL Season 12 in 2025. However, according to the official PKL website, detailed statistics for Abhishek Gunge are not yet available, indicating that he is still in the early stages of his professional PKL career.
Achievements
Abhishek’s kabaddi journey has been marked by several good results at different levels of competition. His first major recognition came when he represented Pune in the Under 17 Khelo India tournament in 2019.
In 2022, Abhishek showed his talent on a national platform at the All India University competition held in Rohtak, Haryana.
His most important achievement came in 2024 when his team got the second position in the important Ashwamedh – Maharashtra University Games held in Raigad.
During domestic competitions, Abhishek has shown great performances, including scoring 12 raid points in a single match. Moreover, his consistent performances in various tournaments have caught the attention of scouts and selectors. His ability to perform well in important matches has made him a reliable player.
Conclusion
Abhishek Gunge’s journey from a small town in Kolhapur to the Pro Kabaddi League shows the power of hard work and dedication. His late start in kabaddi at age 16 has not stopped him from getting success at various levels. Moreover, his selection for Puneri Paltan in PKL Season 12 represents the result of years of dedicated training and performance. As he starts his PKL journey with the champion team, Abhishek Gunge carries the hopes and dreams of many young kabaddi fans.
